Searching for Truth: Friends in a ‘post-truth’ world 

Quakers in Australia invite you to join their Annual Backhouse Lecture delivered virtually. 

What does Truth mean to Friends today? How do we maintain our Integrity in a world where ‘alternative facts’ and ‘fake news’ appear to be driving the decision-making of those in power? How can we face up to the consequences of human injustice and environmental destruction without losing hope? How can the practices of Early Friends, and the processes they have handed down to us, help us to stay connected to our Divine purpose? 

In response to the extraordinary circumstances of 2020, the format of the Backhouse Lecture for 2021 will be given by a panel rather than a single Lecturer. The panel-presentation will be delivered by ZOOM and recorded for those unable to attend the presentation on the day.

When: Monday 5 July 2021 (9am GMT) 7.00-8.30pm (AEST) 

Panellists are:

• Dorothy Broom
• Gerry Fahey
• Duncan Frewin
• Pamela Leach

The James Backhouse Lecture, commonly known as the Backhouse Lecture, is a public lecture on contemporary issues delivered annually at the national gathering of Quakers in Australia. The lecture series was initiated by the Australia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) on its establishment in 1964. The lecture is given in memory of James Backhouse, who walked around a great deal of eastern and southern Australia to inquire into the condition of the penal settlements in Australia and the welfare of the Aborigines and the free settlers. He had as his traveling companion George Washington Walker, and there is no doubt that the visit of these two Friends marked the beginning of the history of Friends in Australia.

To join: please click on this Zoom link and include the following information when prompted:

Meeting ID: 844 1502 1880

Passcode: 159956

Alternatively, you may choose to access the presentation using the following:

One tap mobile

+61280156011,,84415021880# Australia

+61370182005,,84415021880# Australia

Dial by your location

+61 2 8015 6011 Australia  +61 3 7018 2005 Australia

+61 7 3185 3730 Australia  +61 8 6119 3900 Australia

+61 8 7150 1149 Australia.

Download the  pdf Backhouse Lecture publicity poster (925 KB)  here to share with your networks.